India today strongly pushed for early conclusion of a free trade agreement with ASEAN in services and investment and expansion of communication links with the member States of the 10-nation grouping considered one of the world's fastest growing regions.

Addressing the ASEAN-India Ministerial meeting at Phnom Penh the capital of Combodia, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna highlighted the growing congruence in India's ties with the bloc .

He emphasised the need for strengthening private sector participation and encouraging cross-country private-public partnerships in improving connectivity between ASEAN nations and India. He said that economic growth is meeting expectations despite the global economic downturn.

Two-way trade between ASEAN and India in 2011-12 reached 80 billion U S Dollars. Mr. Krishana told the annual meeting attended by Foreign Ministers and top officials of the ASEAN countries he asserted that India believes that the early conclusion of the ASEAN-India Services and Investment Agreements would give a strong fillip to the economic engagement.

India and the ASEAN have already implemented a free trade agreement in goods and are engaged in intense negotiations to widen its base and include services and investments.